Consolidation and Hydraulic Conductivity of Oil Sand Mature Fine Tailings Dewatered by Using Super Absorbent Polymer

Abstract

A comprehensive experimental program that consists of consolidation and hydraulic conductivity tests has been conducted on mature fine tailings (MFTs) dewatered with super absorbent polymer (SAP) as well as MFTs dewatered with SAP and subjected to freeze-thaw cycles. The consolidation behavior and hydraulic conductivity of MFTs dewatered by using recycled SAP are also investigated. The obtained results indicate that dewatering by using SAP or a combination of dewatering by using SAP and a freeze/thaw process can significantly increase the solid content and decrease the initial void ratio and compressibility of the MFTs. Moreover, the freeze–thaw process can significantly increase the hydraulic conductivity of the MFTs, which, in combination with reduced compressibility, will improve the MFT consolidation.